For the second time in history, a Tasmanian club has taken home the biggest award at the Surf Life Saving Australia’s Awards of Excellence. 

On November 1, Carlton Park SLSC was crowned the DHL Club of the Year, capping off a remarkable 50th birthday celebration year which has brought together all generations of the club. 

Carlton Park SLSC Life Member and former President, Christine Gaby, said it is a huge honour of the club to win this award.

"I cannot wait to get home for us to be able to celebrate it with everybody because it's been a fabulous year. We had a great celebration for that [50th birthday]. It'll be wonderful to celebrate this award with everybody," Gaby said. 

With more than 400 members, including 166 Nippers and 105 patrolling lifesavers, Carlton Park SLSC contributed nearly 3,000 volunteer hours to patrols, water safety, training and community initiatives this season. The club also continued its commitment to inclusivity, welcoming groups such as Lifesavers with Pride and Disabled Surfers Association of Tasmania to share their beaches and facilities. The club also led the way in implementing new child safety requirements for Nippers, becoming a standout example of compliance and best practice across all Tasmanian sports. 

Gaby said it was a real team effort to get to this point. “One of the key aspects for us was our lifesaving this year. We had a huge improvement that SLST was saying our numbers were so good, they had to keep running them because they thought it can’t be true. That’s pretty impressive.” 

Tasmanian Flood and Swift Water Rescuers, Adrian Petrie and Nate Welch also earned the highest Surf Life Saving Australia honour at the award ceremony for their outstanding bravery and exceptional merit for their effort in the Franklin River rescue last year. Alongside the agencies of TAS Police, Ambulance TAS and Rotor Lift, they received the Certificate of Merit with Silver Medallion inset.

Petrie said receiving this award is very humbling for himself and all involved in the incident.

“The teamwork that evolved was instrumental from all agencies. It showed that the collaboration we have together within Tassie and working with multi agencies allowed for a probably a seamless type of outcome. Everyone’s to be commended and everyone had a pivotal role within that incident,” he said.